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Jan 4

New Orleans Pelicans vice president on Zion Williamson’s return: ‘When hes ready, hes going to play’ – USA TODAY

Lose Weight Fast Comments Off on New Orleans Pelicans vice president on Zion Williamson’s return: ‘When hes ready, hes going to play’ – USA TODAY

LOS ANGELES --- The Pelicans have heard the rumors surrounding Zion Williamsons injury. So, New Orleans lead executive dismissed it as fast and strong as one of the dunks that the franchises star rookie will throwdown.

You see the narrative out there that we will intentionally shut him down. Or that theyre idiots for not shutting him down, Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin told USA TODAY Sports. Well, which is it? The reality is when hes ready, hes going to play.

When will Williamson play?

The Pelicans lack clarity onthat question. Williamson participated in his first practice on Thursday after tearing his right lateral meniscus before the teams season opener. Prior to the Pelicans 123-113 loss to the Lakers on Friday at Staples Center, Williamson completed both a 3-on-3 non-contact scrimmage and pre-game warmup that entailed throwing down a handful of dunks. Griffin said he thought Williamson looked tremendous with his explosiveness.

Zion Williamson has begun practicing with the Pelicans.(Photo: Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports)

Griffin added, though, that Williamson is going to have to practice several more times before the Pelicans clear him to play. The only problem? Griffin noted, we dont have the days to do it. The Pelicans wont practice on Sunday since they will have played back-to-back games against the Lakers and Sacramento (Saturday). Williamson is scheduled to practice on Jan 7, but the Pelicans then have a game against Chicago on Jan 8 followed by a three-game trip to New York (Jan 10), Boston (Jan 11) and Detroit (Jan 13). The Pelicans have mostly minimized practices to account for the Pelicans (11-23) missing a combined 105 games because of injuries. They also face logistical challenges sending Williamson down to their G-League affiliate because that team is based in Erie, Pa.

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Given those scenarios, it appears Williamson could return during the Pelicans home-stand against Utah (Jan. 16) and the Los Angeles Clippers (Jan. 18). That isbecause the Pelicans have three potential practice days that week. Then again, the Pelicans have declined to pin a timetable on Williamsons return.

I think he would be out there right now if it were up to him. But we have to protect him from himself sometimes, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told USA TODAY Sports. Hes going through everything hes going to go through. When the time comes, well play him. Obviously well be overly cautious of that.

The Pelicans initially ruled Williamson out for six to eight weeks, which left the possibility open that he could return in early or mid December. Though Williamson remains sidelined a month later, Griffin stressed that Williamson did not experienceany setbacks with his surgically repaired right knee. Instead, the Pelicans medical staff took a cautious approach with Williamson after he also sprained his right knee during his freshman season at Duke and bruised his left knee during summer league play.

Griffin said the Pelicans are not concerned about Williamson needing to lose weight from his listed 6-foot-6, 284-pound frame. Instead, the Pelicans training staff has worked with Williamson to improve his range of motion with both his feet and hips in hopes that he becomes less susceptible to future injuries.

Hes been fine. We went way slower than we wouldve with a 28-year-old veteran who had a really efficient movement pattern, Griffin said. So we thought wed address it. My job is not to get him on the court fast. Its to keep him on the court.

That does not mean, however, that the Pelicans have considered shutting Williamson down for all of his rookie season. After Williamson averaged 23.3 points and shooting 71.4% from the field in pre-season play, the Pelicans hope they can play their No. 1 pick with a young roster that also features fourth-year forward Brandon Ingram, third-year guard Lonzo Ball as well as veterans Derrick Favors, Jrue Holiday and J.J. Redick. The Pelicans (11-24) are still only four games behind for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Theres no value in having a healthy player not play, Griffin said. I dont see value in what a lot of tanking teams are doing with sitting healthy players. Youre teaching guys that losing is an acceptable outcome. Thatsnot what we want our young players to learn. Were trying to build a culture from the ground up here. Healthy players play. They sacrifice for each other. In this case, we havent wanted him to go because we didnt feel like he could stay healthy. When he can stay healthy, hes going to play.

When that will happen remains unclear. But it appears imminent.

Follow USA TODAY NBA writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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New Orleans Pelicans vice president on Zion Williamson's return: 'When hes ready, hes going to play' - USA TODAY

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